Japan considers buying more F-35 stealth fighters from US over fears of future jet delays
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According to information published by the International Press Agency Reuters on May 30, 2025, Japan is reportedly considering the acquisition of additional F-35 stealth fighters from the United States due to growing concerns about the timeline of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), its sixth-generation fighter project developed in cooperation with the United Kingdom and Italy. Although the Japanese Ministry of Defense maintains that GCAP remains on schedule for a 2035 rollout and that the retirement of the Mitsubishi F-2 will begin that same year, two sources familiar with Japan’s air defense discussions, who declined to be identified, indicated that internal concerns exist regarding possible delays, with some anticipating the entry into service may be pushed beyond 2040 due to coordination issues among the partner countries.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Japan remains the largest foreign customer of the F-35 Lightning II, with a total order of 147 aircraft, including 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs. (Picture source: US DoD)
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has officially denied that the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) program is facing delays and has reiterated that the 2035 rollout target remains in place. A spokesperson for the ministry’s acquisition agency confirmed that the F-2’s decommissioning is still planned to start in 2035 and stated that he was not aware of any current plans to procure additional F-35s. Japanese defense officials have rejected claims that Tokyo is questioning the GCAP timeline, emphasizing that Japan, the UK, and Italy remain focused on delivering the next-generation combat aircraft as planned. However, on the eve of his visit to Washington for a new round of bilateral talks, Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa commented that Japan’s purchase of U.S. defense systems “would contribute to the U.S. trade surplus, so in that sense, it could be considered [in trade talks].” These remarks came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly offered the F-47 sixth-generation fighter to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a phone call on May 23, 2025.
Japan is reportedly reassessing its fighter procurement strategy, with concerns apparently arising from internal differences between GCAP partners, including an alleged lack of urgency on the part of the UK and Italy and reported disputes over technology sharing. Such delays could potentially shift the GCAP’s entry into service beyond 2040. As a result, Japanese authorities are said to be reviewing two temporary measures: extending the service life of the F-2 fleet, whose retirement is expected to begin in 2035, or acquiring additional F-35 aircraft from the United States. The number of F-35s under consideration and any potential delivery timeline have not been confirmed. Meanwhile, deliveries of previously ordered F-35s continue, including three TR-3 configured F-35As delivered to Komatsu Air Base in April 2025. At the time of writing, officials from Japan’s defense acquisition agency continue to deny any changes to the GCAP schedule or plans for new F-35 acquisitions.
The GCAP program, officially launched in December 2022, is being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, BAE Systems in the United Kingdom, and Leonardo in Italy. It aims to produce a sixth-generation stealth fighter to replace aircraft such as Japan’s F-2 and Europe’s Eurofighter Typhoon. A concept model was revealed at the 2022 Farnborough Airshow and displayed again at DSEI Japan in May 2025. This model includes modifications requested by Japan, such as a larger wingspan and revised aerodynamics to increase range and operational flexibility. However, reports indicate that the project has encountered internal delays tied to national priorities and disagreements over technical cooperation. Italy has reportedly raised issues with the UK regarding the transfer of key technologies and has supported the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the GCAP consortium since 2023 in an effort to strengthen its own influence. While the Japanese and British defense ministries continue to affirm the program’s 2035 target, sources close to the initiative remain cautious due to ongoing differences in operational concepts between partners.
Alongside GCAP, Japan remains the largest foreign customer of the F-35 Lightning II, with a total order of 147 aircraft: 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs. As of early May 2025, Japan had received 43 F-35As, while deliveries of the F-35B variant have experienced delays. The F-35Bs are intended for short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operations from modified Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, as part of Japan’s strategy to improve its responsiveness in defending remote islands. The latest delivery of TR-3 configured F-35As has expanded the basing of the aircraft to Komatsu Air Base, which is Japan’s only fighter base on the Sea of Japan coast. The deployment is intended to enhance Japan’s defensive posture against regular incursions by Chinese and Russian military aircraft. The stationing of F-35As at Komatsu follows previous deployments to Misawa Air Base and is part of a broader strategy to utilize the large training airspace over the Sea of Japan. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani stated that the goal is to improve air defense capabilities along Japan’s northern coastline.
Despite the operational value of the F-35 program, internal criticism has been raised. A senior lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party pointed out that several aircraft already ordered have not yet been delivered, arguing that additional purchases should not be discussed until earlier contracts are fully completed. Nonetheless, some defense officials view expanded F-35 acquisitions as potentially beneficial in trade negotiations with the United States. Ryosei Akazawa’s statement suggests that defense imports, including F-35s, might help address U.S. trade concerns. Former President Trump has also reportedly suggested that Japan consider acquiring the new Boeing F-47 fighter, selected under the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. According to reports, the suggestion was made during a phone call with Prime Minister Ishiba. At present, no official proposal regarding the F-47 has been submitted, and Japanese authorities have not indicated any shift away from the GCAP project or toward the adoption of a new U.S.-developed fighter.
To support the expanding F-35 fleet, Japan has begun updating its pilot training infrastructure. The JASDF has chosen the T-6JP Texan II from Textron to replace the Fuji T-7 as its primary trainer. The Kawasaki T-4, currently used as an intermediate jet trainer, is also set to be replaced. In October 2024, the Ministry of Defense issued a request for information, with proposals submitted by May 2025. At DSEI Japan 2025, Boeing promoted its T-7A Red Hawk, Leonardo presented its M-346 Block 20, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries revealed a domestic T-X concept, although the latter remains in the early design phase and would require years to become operational. Leonardo emphasized its cooperation with Japanese pilots already training on the M-346 in Italy and expressed willingness to localize production. CAE, meanwhile, proposed an integrated simulation-based system and reported that AI-assisted coaching had improved cadet performance by 20 percent in previous studies. These modernization efforts aim to close the gap between legacy training systems and the operational demands of aircraft such as the F-35A and F-35B.
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According to information published by the International Press Agency Reuters on May 30, 2025, Japan is reportedly considering the acquisition of additional F-35 stealth fighters from the United States due to growing concerns about the timeline of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), its sixth-generation fighter project developed in cooperation with the United Kingdom and Italy. Although the Japanese Ministry of Defense maintains that GCAP remains on schedule for a 2035 rollout and that the retirement of the Mitsubishi F-2 will begin that same year, two sources familiar with Japan’s air defense discussions, who declined to be identified, indicated that internal concerns exist regarding possible delays, with some anticipating the entry into service may be pushed beyond 2040 due to coordination issues among the partner countries.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
Japan remains the largest foreign customer of the F-35 Lightning II, with a total order of 147 aircraft, including 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs. (Picture source: US DoD)
Japan’s Ministry of Defense has officially denied that the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) program is facing delays and has reiterated that the 2035 rollout target remains in place. A spokesperson for the ministry’s acquisition agency confirmed that the F-2’s decommissioning is still planned to start in 2035 and stated that he was not aware of any current plans to procure additional F-35s. Japanese defense officials have rejected claims that Tokyo is questioning the GCAP timeline, emphasizing that Japan, the UK, and Italy remain focused on delivering the next-generation combat aircraft as planned. However, on the eve of his visit to Washington for a new round of bilateral talks, Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa commented that Japan’s purchase of U.S. defense systems “would contribute to the U.S. trade surplus, so in that sense, it could be considered [in trade talks].” These remarks came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly offered the F-47 sixth-generation fighter to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a phone call on May 23, 2025.
Japan is reportedly reassessing its fighter procurement strategy, with concerns apparently arising from internal differences between GCAP partners, including an alleged lack of urgency on the part of the UK and Italy and reported disputes over technology sharing. Such delays could potentially shift the GCAP’s entry into service beyond 2040. As a result, Japanese authorities are said to be reviewing two temporary measures: extending the service life of the F-2 fleet, whose retirement is expected to begin in 2035, or acquiring additional F-35 aircraft from the United States. The number of F-35s under consideration and any potential delivery timeline have not been confirmed. Meanwhile, deliveries of previously ordered F-35s continue, including three TR-3 configured F-35As delivered to Komatsu Air Base in April 2025. At the time of writing, officials from Japan’s defense acquisition agency continue to deny any changes to the GCAP schedule or plans for new F-35 acquisitions.
The GCAP program, officially launched in December 2022, is being developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan, BAE Systems in the United Kingdom, and Leonardo in Italy. It aims to produce a sixth-generation stealth fighter to replace aircraft such as Japan’s F-2 and Europe’s Eurofighter Typhoon. A concept model was revealed at the 2022 Farnborough Airshow and displayed again at DSEI Japan in May 2025. This model includes modifications requested by Japan, such as a larger wingspan and revised aerodynamics to increase range and operational flexibility. However, reports indicate that the project has encountered internal delays tied to national priorities and disagreements over technical cooperation. Italy has reportedly raised issues with the UK regarding the transfer of key technologies and has supported the inclusion of Saudi Arabia in the GCAP consortium since 2023 in an effort to strengthen its own influence. While the Japanese and British defense ministries continue to affirm the program’s 2035 target, sources close to the initiative remain cautious due to ongoing differences in operational concepts between partners.
Alongside GCAP, Japan remains the largest foreign customer of the F-35 Lightning II, with a total order of 147 aircraft: 105 F-35As and 42 F-35Bs. As of early May 2025, Japan had received 43 F-35As, while deliveries of the F-35B variant have experienced delays. The F-35Bs are intended for short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) operations from modified Izumo-class helicopter destroyers, as part of Japan’s strategy to improve its responsiveness in defending remote islands. The latest delivery of TR-3 configured F-35As has expanded the basing of the aircraft to Komatsu Air Base, which is Japan’s only fighter base on the Sea of Japan coast. The deployment is intended to enhance Japan’s defensive posture against regular incursions by Chinese and Russian military aircraft. The stationing of F-35As at Komatsu follows previous deployments to Misawa Air Base and is part of a broader strategy to utilize the large training airspace over the Sea of Japan. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani stated that the goal is to improve air defense capabilities along Japan’s northern coastline.
Despite the operational value of the F-35 program, internal criticism has been raised. A senior lawmaker from the ruling Liberal Democratic Party pointed out that several aircraft already ordered have not yet been delivered, arguing that additional purchases should not be discussed until earlier contracts are fully completed. Nonetheless, some defense officials view expanded F-35 acquisitions as potentially beneficial in trade negotiations with the United States. Ryosei Akazawa’s statement suggests that defense imports, including F-35s, might help address U.S. trade concerns. Former President Trump has also reportedly suggested that Japan consider acquiring the new Boeing F-47 fighter, selected under the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program. According to reports, the suggestion was made during a phone call with Prime Minister Ishiba. At present, no official proposal regarding the F-47 has been submitted, and Japanese authorities have not indicated any shift away from the GCAP project or toward the adoption of a new U.S.-developed fighter.
To support the expanding F-35 fleet, Japan has begun updating its pilot training infrastructure. The JASDF has chosen the T-6JP Texan II from Textron to replace the Fuji T-7 as its primary trainer. The Kawasaki T-4, currently used as an intermediate jet trainer, is also set to be replaced. In October 2024, the Ministry of Defense issued a request for information, with proposals submitted by May 2025. At DSEI Japan 2025, Boeing promoted its T-7A Red Hawk, Leonardo presented its M-346 Block 20, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries revealed a domestic T-X concept, although the latter remains in the early design phase and would require years to become operational. Leonardo emphasized its cooperation with Japanese pilots already training on the M-346 in Italy and expressed willingness to localize production. CAE, meanwhile, proposed an integrated simulation-based system and reported that AI-assisted coaching had improved cadet performance by 20 percent in previous studies. These modernization efforts aim to close the gap between legacy training systems and the operational demands of aircraft such as the F-35A and F-35B.
